Events and Announcements: 14 February 2021

Call for Papers

International Criminal Justice: A Counter-Hegemonic Project: The Berlin University Alliance is pleased to announce a call for papers for “International Criminal Justice: A Counter-Hegemonic Project?” International criminal law, since its origins, has been mired in controversies and critique inter alia on account of its understanding as victor’s justice as well as its colonial legacy. Some states have challenged the International Criminal Court and its practice on the grounds of selectivity, and the perpetuation of double standards. Additionally, critical scholarship has made a significant contribution in calling out the inconsistencies and deficits of the discipline and practice of international criminal law. At the same time, international criminal justice has often been understood as a power-critical, perhaps even counter-hegemonic project: Abuses of political and military (much less economic) power are addressed in the language of criminal justice and subjected to the rule of law. Even the most powerful, such as heads of states, can no longer claim immunity and can be held accountable for their actions amounting to crimes under international law.

In order to inquire into both of these sides of international criminal justice – its assumed counter- hegemonic capacity on the one hand and its arguably hegemonic structure perpetuated through its practice and enforcement on the other – we invite proposals for papers. More specifically, we invite scholars and practitioners to explore a subject of their choice which relates to one of the following thematic areas:

1. The idea of international criminal justice as a power-critical, counter-hegemonic and emancipatory project, including the role of civil society;
2. The continuation of hegemonic ideas and practices through international criminal law, inter alia through discussions on account of post-colonial, TWAIL, gendered, or critical race theory perspectives; or
3. The future of the international criminal justice project, potentially re-constructing and developing its counter-hegemonic potential – or radically abandoning the project.

Accepted papers will be presented at an international workshop in Berlin (hybrid format – both in-person and remote participation) where contributors will get the opportunity to discuss their doctrinal, theoretical, or practitioner perspectives and constructively engage with a group of scholars with a view to publication. If travel regulations permit, funding will be available to cover travel costs to attend the workshop. Based on the discussions in the workshop, the contributors may modify and revisit their submissions to submit the final versions for publication in an edited collection or a special issue of an international journal.

Abstracts of maximum 250 words should be sent by 15 March 2021 to Yvonne Runzler at sekretariat[dot]jessberger[at]rewi[dot]hu-berlin[dot]de specifying author(s), current affiliation, along with a CV (maximum 2 pages).

The anticipated timelines are as follows:

• Deadline for submission of abstracts – 15 March 2021
• Abstract selection and invitation to submit full papers – 15 April 2021
• Workshop – 21 & 22 June 2021 (tbc)
• Publication – early 2022

Contributions are especially welcome from early career scholars and from scholars and practitioners from the Global South. The workshop and the publication will be in English; nonetheless, we encourage non-native speakers to contribute as the organizers could, on a limited scale, arrange for editing services or other forms of assistance to facilitate the writing process.

UN Audiovisual Library

The Codification Division of the UN Office of Legal Affairs recently added the following materials to the Historic Archives of the UN Audiovisual Library of International Law: an introductory note by Eileen Denza on the Draft Articles on the Status of the Diplomatic Courier and the Diplomatic Bag Not Accompanied by Diplomatic Courier, 1989; and an introductory note by Kevin Riordan on the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, 1989.

Podcasts

Hablemos de Derecho Internacional (HDI) – The International Legal Podcast (Spanish): HDI recently added the following Episodes in Spanish: Embajador Dr. Juan M. Gómez Robledo – El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU ; and Dr. Francesco Tripo – Adquisición y Distribución de la Vacuna del COVID-19. Updated information about the guests and episodes can be found on HDI’s social media accounts: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube. The Podcast contributes to the dissemination and study of contemporary legal issues in Spanish, and is available on the main platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or through other podcast applications by searching “Hablemos de Derecho Internacional”, and on its website here.

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